It’s really hard to live with arthritis. The pain from this condition can put so many of your activities and dreams on a halt. Every step you make, every move or flexing will be accompanied by pain and discomfort.
But we already know you know how it feels to live like that. And we also know what can be done to restore some sanity in your life. If your condition is not super advanced, then the best shoes for arthritic feet can help. This move and physical therapy are usually the first steps to easing your pain.
Here is something you might not know…
Not every other shoe –even those from the most reputable brands-can address arthritis. In fact, some can exacerbate the condition, especially if they are too stiff or don’t fit well.
But we understand this info is not enough to help you and that is why we have taken the time to research for you some of the best shoes that have offered reliable help to other people in this condition.
To butter it all up, we will have a vital section coming in right after the reviews. The section will shine the spotlight on what needs to be considered while shopping for the most comfortable shoes for arthritic feet.
Are you short on time? No need to worry. Here is our top recommendation Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Shoes. This shoe strikes the right balance between price and comfort.
Alright. Now that you are pumped let’s have a look at all the options worth investing in.
What kind of shoes is good for arthritic feet?
Medicare-approved Soft and breathable shoes are good for arthritic feet. It should be well cushioned and shock absorption features.
Best Shoes For Arthritic Feet in 2021
| Name | Made of | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Orthofeet Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes. Proven Foot and Heel Pain Relief | Synthetic, Ortho-Cushion Sole | See On Amazon |
| Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Ion Athletic Shoes | fabric-and-synthetic, Omega VersoShock Sole | See On Amazon |
| Dr. Comfort Refresh Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe | Leather, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Vionic women’s Walker | Suede, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Orthofeet Pain Relief Stretchable Shoes | lycra, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker | 100% Leather/Synthetic, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 4 Running Shoe | 100% Synthetic, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
Here are all the top reviews that not only us but many other people found to be effective in addressing arthritic feet pain:
1. Orthofeet Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes. Proven Foot and Heel Pain Relief
If you are not yet into an advanced stage of arthritis, the one sneaker that can get you sorted is Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Shoes. This has been a go-to shoe for those with bunions, diabetic feet, neuropathy, hammertoes, heel pain, and any other painful foot condition.
This shoe’s impeccable performance comes from its podiatrist-like design, which includes speed lacing and an extremely meshed upper. Thick padding can be spotted throughout from the footbed to the tongue and collar. And it doesn’t end there.
As one of the comfortable shoes for arthritic feet, the midsole is ultra-thick to bounce with every step easily. The energy you provide during takeoff is given back to you to avoid overtaxing the feet. So yeah, this shoe doesn’t sacrifice comfort at all.
There is plenty of room for the toes to move around. However, since it’s a closed shoe, it might not sufficiently ease advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis and hammertoes. The shoe is certified by Medicare and that should put some of your worries to bed.
Top Features
- Ergonomic sole
- Premium orthotic insoles
- Air cushioning
- Extended width
- Seam-free lining
- Medicare-certified
- Speed lacing
- Anatomical arch support
PROS:
- Exceptionally comfy
- Wide to allow feet movement
- Easy lace-up design
- Soft and breathable uppers
- Medicare-approved
- Versatile to handle a wide variety of feet problems
- Lightweight
CONS:
- The padding may run out faster if used often
If you suffer from several feet problems that are not in their progressive stage, Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Shoes can help. After all, it’s already highly recommended by many foot doctors.
This shoe delivers pillow-like comfort and plenty of room for toe movement. The company offers excellent returns and customer support which makes it a worry-free investment.
2. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Ion Athletic Shoes
Gravity Defyer is exactly as its name says-it defies all the odds involved in day-to-day walking. Most shoes that address arthritic feet pain feature extremely tender padding that thins out very fast. That’s not the case with this one as it boasts of improved comfort that can last many months of daily walking or standing.
Like the Orthofeet sneaker above, Gravity Defyer is ideal for those whose arthritic condition is still in the early stages. Its design is appealing to those who spend a heck long time standing or walking.
Not the most extremely breathable but still fairly better than most closed shoes. The most significant element of this sneaker is comfort. Oh, it does supersede even the most advanced kicks for runners. It derives foam-like comfort from the thick padding in the midsole.
Despite the bulky look, Gravity Defyer is engineered with a lightweight design. As you walk, most of the impact will be absorbed by the midsole and the Versoshock outsole.
Top Features
- A mix of fabric and synthetic
- Web-last technology
- VersoShock outsole
- Lace closure
- Multiple color choices
PROS:
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Impressive shock absorption
- Long-lasting comfort
- Returns energy back to the feet
- Lightweight for effortless walking and running
- Flexible and breathable uppers
CONS:
- The style of lacing is unfriendly to those with arthritic fingers
- Lacks the best looks
Gravity Defyer could be your favorite cup of tea if your priority is support and superior comfort. While some people feel this sneaker is expensive, what they don’t know is that the comfort it delivers lasts longer to bring about healing.
3. Dr. Comfort Refresh Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe
Dr. Comfort Refresh Women’s Therapeutic Shoe is a comfort collection designed for seasonal athletes. Its construction entails a breathable top that combines the softest leather and mesh fabric for superior comfort.
The padding extends throughout the tongue and collar to avoid ankle irritation. Inside this sneaker lies a unique arch stabilizer that cushions the midfoot for improved support. This does away with the need to invest in custom insoles as the stabilizer is responsive and will perfectly follow the contours of your feet.
Dr. Comfort Refresh Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe bears stunning looks. So yeah, you will still look dapper and get the best protection for both diabetic and arthritic feet. The hassle-free toggle closure requires no tying or untying. This shoe comes in medium, wide and extra-wide widths.
Top Features
- Blends together leather and mesh
- Breathable fabric
- Toggle closure
- Comes with gel plus insoles
- Dual pull tabs
PROS:
- Podiatrist-inspired hence practical in healing arthritic feet
- A lightweight and breathable design
- Easy-to-adjust lacing system
- Ideal for many painful conditions
- Supremely adaptive arch support
CONS:
- No attention-worthy issues
Dr. Comfort Refresh Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe is for Sportsmen and women, personal trainers, and individuals who want both style and comfort. It’s the safest bet for those who want podiatrist-inspired therapeutic shoes.
4. Vionic women’s Walker
Meet the Ferrari of the sneaker world- Vionic women’s Walker. This shoe’s performance and quality are truly off the charts. This is showcased by the thousands of positive reviews left on previous uses.
Like those self-confident beautiful women who need no filters to look good, Walker is a real beauty. It’s the finest arthritic feet shoe that keeps you comfortable, stylish, and elegant.
Good looks aside, Vionic women’s Walker features a combination of leather and suede uppers. Some sections of the sides and the whole tongue are extremely meshed to promote adequate air circulation. The EVA footbed and Active Motion System technology ensure you never lack comfort.
The footbed is podiatrist-inspired so you can enjoy everyday support and stability. This footwear received the APMA seal of acceptance because of its innovative biomechanics that aims to bring relief to individuals with painful foot conditions. What we are trying to say is, that you can never go wrong with this shoe.
Features
- Active Motion System technology
- Rubber outsole
- Suede or leather upper
- EVA footbed
- Action lacing system
- Thermoplastic heel counter
PROS:
- Podiatrist-designed footbed for proper support
- Provides maximum comfort and gait efficiency
- Certified by America’s podiatric association
- Sufficiently breathable
- Innovative biomechanics
CONS:
- Not designed to handle advanced arthritic feet cases
Vionic women’s Walker for individuals who value both good looks and performance. This is a product with an APMA seal hence massively recommended by feet doctors. However, if you have extreme bunions, hammertoes, and painful arthritic feet, just keep reading.
5. Orthofeet Pain Relief Stretchable Shoes
Are your bunions, hammertoes, or heel spurs extremely painful? Do you have advanced stages of diabetic feet? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you stand to benefit a lot from Orthofeet Pain Relief Stretchable Shoes.
Many sneakers designed to address painful feet problems mimic Orthofeet. The brand doesn’t cut corners with their products-they go all in. The level of padding in Orthofeet Pain Relief Stretchable Shoe is admirable. The shoe is so soft that the ground you are stepping on ceases to exist.
Air cushioning is used together with a lightweight ergonomic outsole to lower the overall weight of the shoe. This kick comes along with premium orthotic insoles with anatomical arch support for responsive support. As your feet change shape, the insole molds to them providing all-day support and comfort.
Here is something cool; this stretchable shoe comes in extended widths. This provides for the extra space so your toes can have playtime. There is a single Velcro strap for hassle-free fastening. The entire construction is seam-free and thus truly ideal for those with sensitive feet.
Top Features
- Seam-free lining
- Single securing Velcro strap
- Lycra fabric
- Rubber outsole
- Air pockets
- Contoured orthotic insole
- Gel padding
PROS:
- Superior comfort
- Anatomical arch support that caters to any arch shape
- A roomier interior
- Affordable pricing
- Takes care of many tender feet problems
- Long-lasting design
- Adds spring to every step you make
CONS:
- No alarming quality problems
Orthofeet Pain Relief Stretchable Shoe has an appealing design and brings relief to so many aggravated feet issues. Whether you are suffering from arthritis, diabetes, or plantar fasciitis, this is the shoe to go for. The pricing varies from low to high-end so you can spend within your means.
6. Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker
Say hello to Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker. This is the one sporty shoe that steps up your style while offering therapeutic comfort. It is massively recommended on bigger marketplaces like amazon with over 10k reviews-yes, it’s that hugely liked.
Coming from an award-winning brand, this sneaker boasts a soft leather top with perforated details for ample breathability. The entire construction is put together via seam-free stitching to offer some peace of mind to those with overly sensitive feet.
To boost comfort, Skechers Men’s Afterburn includes a memory foam insole and pillow-soft padding on the tongue and collar. The bottom features a flexible, high-traction Articu-lyte rubber sole. There are so many eye-candy colors to choose from.
Top Features
- Memory foam insole
- Lace styled
- A mix of synthetic and leather
- Meshed top
- Variable widths
- Rubber outsole
PROS:
- Multiple attractive color choices
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Lined with memory foam for improved comfort
- Affordable pricing
- Superior support and traction
CONS:
- The quality may have dipped a little. However, as we said before, extremely padded shoes thin out with continued use. This is standard across the board.
Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker appeals to trend-savvy individuals who also don’t want to compromise on quality. Despite the stunning design, the sneaker takes into account the needs of those with minor to medium feet problems. Thanks to the sporty look, this could be your workout gear as well.
7. ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 4 Running Shoe
Do you crave to bring some peace and harmony to your body and soul? If so, then another reliable option is ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 4 Running Shoe. Like Skechers above, this shoe is designed for trend-savvy sports lovers and sneakerheads.
This sneaker incorporates soothing synthetics and gel cushioning to its biomechanics for premium level comfort. This padding goes into the collar and tongue for a secure but soft fit. The insoles it pops up with are removable to give room for custom pieces.
ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 4 Running Shoe is true to size, breathable, and caters to those in need of arch support. There are multiple wider choices to meet the needs of almost all feet types. This is one of the few sneakers that have won the love of millions of people. So yeah, it might get you covered to the best level you desire.
Top Features
- Synthetic fabrics
- AHAR rubber outsole
- Rearfoot gel cushioning
- Removable sock liner
- Lace styling
PROS:
- Good for wide feet
- Versatile to handle workouts and other daily routines
- Extremely supportive
- Lightweight construction
- Reversed outsole lugs for unrivaled traction
- Top-quality yet affordable
- Fits as expected
CONS:
- Lacing style may not be appealing to those with itchy fingers
If you want a solid quality shoe that will spare you from dealing with time-consuming returns, then ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 4 Running Shoe is for you. It sports a versatile design for daily walks and workouts.
There we go! Now you have some of the best shoe choices for arthritic feet. Your final choice will depend on many things including budget, size, and personal preferences. Let’s move on to the next section for some more important tips.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Shoes For Arthritic Feet
Size
Normally, you are advised to find a shoe that fits snugly. However, those with arthritic feet need some room for movement. Hammertoes and rheumatoid arthritis toes swell a lot and when they entangle with the edges of your shoes, you’ll be in for a bad time.
The rule of thumb is to buy a shoe in a half or full size up. While this is rarely indicated, a shoe with more depth to the front creates more room for toes as well.
Consider removable insoles
The core areas that suffer arthritic pain are the toes, heel joint, midfoot, and metatarsal joints. When a shoe has a removable insole, you can do away with it for an ideal (or custom one). Sometimes removing it creates more room for foot movement provided the bottom is still soft.
Adjustability
No matter how comfortable your shoe is, at some point, it’s likely to start feeling uncomfortable. So in the moments of arthritis flare-ups, you could benefit a lot from a shoe that can adjust easily.
The best shoes for arthritic feet have zip, elastic laces, and Velcro straps as fasteners. These securing methods can be adjusted in a single move and with one hand. Lace straps that require two hands can prove to be a herculean task or even painful if you have arthritic fingers.
If you have back problems, another good option to look into is slip-on. It’s a breeze to slide in and out.
Material
The best shoes for arthritis must be comfortable. There is no compromise on this. You already have tender feet so why would you want a material that scuffs, pinches, or digs onto your feet?
For flexible uppers, an arthritis shoe needs to feature soft textiles, canvas, or a breathable mesh. Neoprene and other stretchable material are nicer options too.
Support
Improper foot support is one of the causes of foot swelling. Non-supportive shoes can exaggerate bunions, heel spurs, arthritis, and practically any other foot pain.
So when making your choices, try to look for shoes with anatomical arch support, the addition of contoured footbeds, or cupped heels. The more support you have, the lesser the chances of visiting a doctor.
There you have it! All the factors you must observe to ensure your money is used well. There are a few things we have to mention. First, be careful with flat shoes. They are not bad unless they are hard and pointy. Flat shoes lack the proper shock absorption needed for effortless gait.
Secondly, you must ditch high heels. They are not good for arthritic feet. Heels position feet unnaturally and this exerts more toil than is necessary. Other parts of the body including the back, knees, and hips suffer too.
If you can’t avoid heels, then wear those within 1 and 1.5 inches. And make sure they are optimally padded for comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a couple of frequently asked questions that most people with arthritic feet grapple with. Go through them to enlighten yourself even more about shoes for arthritic feet. Okay, here we go:
a) What shoes are best for arthritic feet?
Shoes that sufficiently address arthritic pain are mostly from Orthofeet or Vionic. Clarks and clogs have also been massively recommended by foot experts. However, since such shoes tend to be expensive, affordable choices exist too-only if you are willing to look harder.
b) What can be done to fix arthritis in the feet?
Well, there are many options. The first one is to invest in the best shoes for arthritic feet. Such kicks boast of superior comfort and tender construction. A steroid medication, physical therapy, pain relievers, pads (arch supports), and shoe inserts are also alternative ways to minimize arthritis pain. If no shoe addresses your problem, it might be time to visit a podiatrist for custom-fitted shoes.
c) What are the signs of ankle and foot arthritis?
You possibly are suffering from arthritis if you exhibit the following symptoms; joint swelling, extreme pain or tenderness, joint stiffness, and inability to walk. These symptoms are common to individuals between the ages of 40 and 50. Women are highly susceptible to men.
d) How wide should the shoes be?
There is no standard figure but you need to make sure you have enough room for toe movement. Narrow shoes will glue your toes together resulting in unending pain and even improper air circulation.
Conclusion
Very many parts of the body connect to the feet-from the hip, thigh, and knee bones. Medical practitioners term this relationship as a “kinetic chain”. So, as you can guess, your feet act as the foundation of your body.
The feet also have so many joints which are the easiest target for arthritis. The best shoes for arthritic feet can help you manage this condition and even mitigate it before it transforms into a surgical-worthy case.
Try to stick to the issues we have discussed in the “factors to consider” section. Those tips will help you find a shoe that aims at resolving your problem rather than worsening it. At times you might need the addition of custom orthotics or insoles for the best experience.
Lastly, if you make your purchases offline, do so in the afternoon. Why so? Because feet expand as the day goes on and achieve their full size in the afternoon. This means if you buy too early, they might not fit later in the day. To avoid buying the wrong pair, try to select among some of the options we have recommended.